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Phone connecting to unknown network extender? (and poor connection)

My phone appears to be connecting to a nearby network extender, but I have no idea where it could be. I live in a townhouse and have no way of knowing who has a network extender in my vicinity. My wireless phone service has been terrible at my house for at least a year now, but I always thought it was poor reception. I just upgraded to a Galaxy S4, and it explicitly says on the lock screen that it's connected to a network extender (my Razr Maxx didn't provide any such notification). I dialed #48, and the message confirmed that I am connected to a Verizon network extender "Switch 30900-251". I'm assuming this is the ID of the specific extender. My problem with my phone automatically connecting to this extender is that it has terrible reception in my house, and I'm pretty sure that the regular wireless service actually has better reception than the network extender (I just can't force my phone not to use the extender).

Does anyone have any advice on addressing this issue? Could anyone from Verizon actually look into this and provide some assistance? I tried the support chat website, but it always says chat is unavailable.

Comments

Verizon_Support

rdswords,

Darn! This is a bit of a tricky situation but we're still going to do everything in our power to get you disconnected from that network extender. To be honest, you will need to locate the neighbor that uses the network extender. Then they will need to manage their access settings so its not available to the public http://vz.to/shbXqa .

EvanO_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

rdswords

I have no means of determining who has a network extender. I can't go knocking on every door on the street asking strangers what they have in their house. You are the service provider, you should be addressing the issue. I've provided the only information I have available, which is a switch number given by the recorded message when I dial #48.

TechSupportMachine

This is definitely a tough one. For privacy reasons, obviously VZW can't tell you whose extender you're connecting to. For similar reasons, they won't call someone and ask them to manually block you from it. What I can tell you personally is network extenders really don't have that much range, so it's a very, very close neighbor. Unless you live in an apartment, it's likely your closest neighbor. I know that's not a whole lot of help, but it narrows your search field from your entire street to 1-2 houses. If you can ask them to set their network extender to help you out, that's really your best option.

I know it's not what you're looking for, but that's all the information I can give myself, knowing a bit about them.

Verizon_Support

I understand your thoughts rdswords! Please accept my follow request, follow me and send me a direct message with your name and mobile number. I will review all possible options to further assist. Thank you.

TominqueBo_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

rdswords

I have sent you a message with my information.

cpbergie

Did you ever find a solution to this problem? I am having the exact same issue. I have no idea which of my neighbors has an extender and its causing me problems. Is there any way to have my phone NOT connect to extenders?

Thanks

rdswords

A tech actually called me and said he would turn down the signal on the extender so that I wouldn't connect to it, but he couldn't give me any info about it that would allow me to go talk to the neighbor who owns it. Despite that, my phone still connects to it almost all the time.

cpbergie

wow, this is incredibly frustrating. I get much better service when my phone isnt trying to connect to the extender.

Techbhaktiveda

Verizon wireless technical support , this my 3rd call regarding the Verizon wireless Network Extender causing phone calls being dropped when calling from inside, this NEVER happened till I started seeing the network extender of some "neighbor". I see this as a serious "Privacy" Issue as the extender tracks the IP address of the cell phones being connected to "Neighbors" extender. I have been told by Neil (removed) that this issue will be resolved within 1-2 two days. Wireless technical support will be contacting the "Neighbor" and making sure that my phones associated with my account DO NOT connect to "Private party extenders".

I will be updating this as issue is handled. Appreciate if any other Verizon Wireless account holders are having this issue.? As I am reading all the concerns being presented,

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Techbhaktiveda

UPDATE April 12 2014 : This issue has NOT been resolved by Verizon Wireless previous technical support and a new technician "Adam" was had no clue what was going on (removed),I was with the technical support and he was trying to sell me a "Network Extender", as per the contract, I expect that my text message and phone called are transmitted and NOT dropped according to my contract without getting dropped within next 24 hours.

This is issue has been going on from more than a month, and I am given a run around by the Verizon Wireless. This issue also brings a important "PRIVACY" concerns for the Verizon customers,when your phone gets connected to the "Neighbors Network Extender" or some "Unknown Network Extender" it will register the MAC Address of the hardware . This constitutes "Snooping" and is considered illegal. Verizon Wireless has been cited in the recently for being involved in this, and every American Citizen should be concerned about civil liberties.

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jlynnj692

I am having the exact same problem. Bought a brand new Samsung Galaxy S4 1 day ago, and haven't been able to use the phone at home since I bought it because it keeps connecting to a outside Network Extender. Verizon keeps telling me it's a SIM card error, or that the actual antenna in the phone itself is bad, and they want me to buy another phone! Cause that's the only way they say I can fix the problem. I ask about the Network Extender symbol and service, and they repeatedly tell me that can't be the problem, it only improves service. And I don't have a Network Extender, and I refuse to go door to door asking my neighbors if they have one. If it's an extender through Verizon, then someone at Verizon should be able to find the signal for the extender themselves. That's their job, not mine!

Techbhaktiveda

Verizon Wireless has been very adamant and arrogant about this issue trying to divert the attention and trying to blame it on the customer. I am a in the technology area for past 25 years and and Verizon Wireless customer for past 25 years,

I know when I smell the "RATS", I have already talked to my attorney to call them as this is a PRIVACY ISSUE, The issue has not been resolved and the Text message and the phone calls are are getting dropped because of this. Verizon Wireless has been non responsive to this.

The reason the is a PRIVACY ISSUE is because now your "Neighbors" Network Extender acts like a "Cell Tower" and your EID (The phone ID and the number gets registered and transmitted using "your neighbor" extender, this hardware is similar to a router which transmits the location data and "Triangulates" your location to within 10feet (If your Neighbors "Network Extender) is located next to your bedroom or living room, so if your neighbor is involved in "Illegal Activities" your cell phone number and EID is registered now on their "Network Extender"..and you could be liable. Any law abiding citizen should be very worried about this issue as it is "Civil Liberties" issues. It is important that Verizon Wireless cu

Verizon_Support

Hi Techbhaktiveda- We certainly value your privacy and security! I apologize that this has gone unresolved for so long! Please follow me back and send a Direct Message to me so that we can get this resolved once and for all!

Thank you,

YaleK_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWsupport

Techbhaktiveda

Yalek

Including Case ID# (removed) AND subsequent phone calls for past 3 months , has NOT resolved the issue,

I will will not be contacting the worst customer and technical service I have received to resolve a issue , which was NOT the root cause of my having the device (BlackBerry/Samsung/Apple) and service from Verizon Wireless, BUT BECAUSE

Verizon Wireless, has installed a "Network Extender " in the "neighbors house" which could be in radius of about 500 feet from where I stay, This technology is acts as a "Mini Cell Tower" and can pin point where the calls are "originating from" and "registers" the Device ID of all calls being bounced OFF from that tower. This "Mini Cell" tower is installed in

"Private" property,and Verizon Wireless technical support tells me that it is the issue with my phone , and I should go and "knock" on every neighbor and tell them to "create a "Blacklist" on their (neighbors network extender) and give them all my phone to block them OR I have to ASK them to create a "Whitelist" and include "Their" registered phone number so that the rest do not get connected. ARE YOU SMOKING SOMETHING......EXCUSE ME.

FIX THIS DAMN PROBLEM, IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 3 MONTHS, and EVERYTIME I HAVE BEEN GIVEN (removed).

ALL ME CELL PHONE CALLS ARE BEING DROPPED WHILE MAKING CALLS WITHIN THE RADIUS OF THE NETWORK EXTENDER.

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bebeshears

My phone is doing the same things. My husband has the same phone and we live in the same house yet his does not connect to a network extender.

sighklr

If whoever has the network extender has it configured properly - there will still be one port that will be 'open'...that explains why you are on it but not your husband. Keep on the tech support folks - they should be able to identify the extender (they will have to send a truck to your neighborhood) and remotely turn it down.

pcarron

I live in some apartments and one of my neighbors has a Verizon network extender (I called #48 and confirmed this). I've posted notices and left notes for my neighbors to change their settings to make it private because my phone automatically connects, the service is horrible and I can't use my phone at my house as a result. No change has happened. This is a security issue and if my neighbors will not change their settings, there's nothing I can do. I need this problem addressed asap so I can use my phone.

B33

Hey EvanO_VZW

I'm not so sure this is the best way to advise ones into looking for Network Extenders some neighbors might not be so neighborly and some might have Dogs that are not either..

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